Afghanistan

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in connection with the anticipated deployment of further United Kingdom troops to Afghanistan, they have had discussions with the Government of Pakistan about the security situation in the adjacent tribal areas.

Lord Triesman: As part of its ongoing bilateral dialogue with the Government of Pakistan, and in the context of the forthcoming deployment of UK troops to Afghanistan, the Government regularly discuss with the Government of Pakistan the security situation in the federally administered tribal areas. This issue will remain high on the UK/Pakistan bilateral agenda, including on military channels. Travel to the federally administered tribal areas in north Pakistan is difficult for UK officials and therefore infrequent. However, members of staff from the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi visit Balochistan regularly, most recently in January 2006.

Afghanistan: NATO Deployment

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What impact the outcome of the current NATO deployment in Afghanistan will have upon the future sustainability of that organisation.

Lord Triesman: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan is already helping to sustain the alliance by demonstrating NATO's relevance to changed post-Cold War threats, its ability to undertake out-of-area deployments and its role in complex civilian-military peace support missions. As such, ISAF is also a spur to the wider modernisation and transformation of the alliance.

Afghanistan: Rules of Engagement

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many different rules of engagement are used by the national components of the NATO force at present in Afghanistan; how differences between these rules affect the effectiveness of that force; and what steps are being taken to reduce their number.

Lord Drayson: It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment in detail on the rules of engagement under which our Armed Forces operate.

Afghanistan: UK Government Expenditure

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much has been expended by the Ministry of Defence in pursuit of their policies in Afghanistan (a) in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available; and (b) since the commencement of their reconstruction programme in Afghanistan.

Lord Drayson: The Ministry of Defence does not directly fund reconstruction in Afghanistan. The United Kingdom's military commitment to Afghanistan is part of our wider cross-governmental strategy to support the continued development of the country. British troops deployed under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) play an important role in creating the conditions in which reconstruction can take place.
	The total additional cost for the MoD's deployment to Afghanistan for 2004–05 was £67 million. The equivalent costs for previous years were: £221 million in 2001–02; £311 million in 2002–03; and £46 million in 2003–04.

Afghanistan: UK Government Expenditure

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much has been expended by government agencies and departments other than the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development in pursuit of their policies in Afghanistan (a) in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available; and (b) since the commencement of their reconstruction programme in Afghanistan.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information requested is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Air Travel: Business and Social Use

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of air passengers they anticipate will be (a) business users, and (b) social users, in 2030; and what are the proportions of business and social air passengers at present.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Such information is available only for business and leisure passengers on international flights, including those on internal flights connecting to international flights.
	However, in 2005, 24 per cent of passengers were business users and 76 per cent leisure users. We estimate that, in 2030, 34 per cent of passengers will be business users, and 66 per cent leisure users.

Air Travel: Comparative Fares

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much have air fares increased on average in comparison to the average increase for bus and train fares in the past 10 years.

Lord Davies of Oldham: A calculation, derived from International Passenger Survey (IPS) data, of the fares paid by UK passengers travelling abroad (weighted by destination and purpose of journey) suggests a 41 per cent decrease in air fares in real terms between 1994 and 2004. Bus and coach fares in 2004 are 13 per cent higher than in 1994, and rail fares have risen by 5 per cent over the same period.

Aviation: Air Traffic Control

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have assessed the need to improve real-time co-operation between civil and military air traffic controllers in the United Kingdom and European airspace; and, if so, what action they propose to take, and by whom such action will be taken.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The United Kingdom already benefits from long-established and effective real-time co-operation between civil and military air traffic controllers. These joint and integrated arrangements are kept under review by the statutory Joint Air Navigation Services Council, chaired by the Civil Aviation Authority's Director of Airspace Policy and comprising senior members of the Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services.
	The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of the EC's single European sky initiative, which aims to secure more efficient airspace management and promotes the flexible use of airspace between civil and military users. The UK model for joint and integrated service provision is unique within Europe and is seen by many as a benchmark, particularly as regards the real-time co-ordination between civil and military air traffic controllers.

Aviation: Climate Change

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the future increase in domestic air travel on the United Kingdom's ability to reduce greenhouse causing carbon dioxide emissions.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Domestic aviation currently represents around 0.4 per cent of the UK's total domestic carbon dioxide emissions, and we expect it to remain a modest proportion of the total in future.
	Further assessment of future aviation emissions and a comparison of aviation's contribution, both domestic and international, to global and UK emissions targets were provided in Aviation and Global Warming, published by the Department for Transport in 2004. They are available on the department's website at www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft–aviation/documents/page/dft–aviation–031850.pdf.
	As set out in The Future of Air Transport, we believe that the best way to tackle aviation's climate change impact is to include the industry in a well designed emissions trading regime. We are currently negotiating to include aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme and would expect domestic aviation to participate in the same manner as international aviation.

British Citizenship: Hong Kong

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the past three years, (a) how many applications for British citizenship made in Hong Kong have taken 18 months or longer to process; (b) what has been the average processing time for such applications; and (c) how this differs from the average processing time for British citizenship applications made within the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

British Citizenship: Hong Kong and India

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that all the solely British ethnic minorities of Hong Kong, including minors who ceased to be Indian citizens by virtue of their acquisition of British National (Overseas) status by registration, are able to exercise their entitlement under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 to register as British citizens; and
	What steps they are taking to identify applications for British citizenship from persons belonging to solely British ethnic minorities in Hong Kong which have been refused since 1997; whether they will grant citizenship to those applicants on a prioritised basis; and what statement they will make to those applicants.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: On 20 December, the Indian Minister of Home Affairs answered questions in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian central Parliament, concerning the position under Indian law of Indian minors who acquire British nationality. However, the answer directly contradicts previous statements made or authorised by the Indian Government, who hitherto have informed our consideration of applications for British citizenship under the 1997 Act, and failed to acknowledge the continuing dialogue between the British and Indian governments on this issue.
	In the circumstances, it would be prudent to await a formal reply to our Note Verbale dated 20 April 2005 before implementing any changes here. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is pursuing this vigorously and, in view of the fact that the Indian Government have now made a statement in the Lok Sabha, we are hopeful that we will receive a response soon.

Channel Tunnel: Accidents

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many accidents have occurred in the Channel Tunnel since its opening in 1994.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Four train accidents in the Channel Tunnel have been reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Railways (Notice of Accidents) Order 1986 and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) Regulations 1995 since the tunnel's opening in 1994. All these involved fire or smoke emissions on trains or on vehicles on-board shuttles, and include the serious fire on-board an HGV shuttle train on 18 November 1996.

Children and Young People: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 16 December 2004 (WA 101), what initiatives deriving from the Northern Ireland Office consultative document on a Draft Strategy for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland, published in November 2004, have been (a) undertaken and implemented; (b) undertaken but yet to be completed; or (c) scheduled to be undertaken within the next three months.

Lord Rooker: The final strategy will be launched in March 2006. A revised action plan which will set out what will be done across government for children and young people over the next three years, will be published in the first quarter of the 2006–07 financial year. The action plan will be reviewed and updated annually.

Department for Transport and BAA

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any contracts exist between the Department for Transport and BAA; and, if so, what the subjects of these contracts are.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Highways Agency has signed one scheme, under Section 278 of the Highways Act*, with BAA plc and has two prospective agreements to be signed early in 2006. They are:
	M11, BAA Stansted Generation 2 project, a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of State for Transport and BAA plc, signed 17 May 2005.
	M11/A120 eastbound/Priory Wood roundabout, Essex—off slip road, dedicated left-turn lane to Round Coppice roundabout. An agreement is expected to be signed early in 2006.
	M11, Junction 8, Thremhall Avenue, Essex—direct left-turn slip road, including BAA car park signing and fencing. An agreement is expected to be signed early in 2006.
	Note:
	* This provides for agreement to be made between a highway authority and the private sector for the latter to fund highway improvements from which they could derive special benefit.

Department for Transport: Air Transport White Paper

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 18 January (WA 110), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the minutes taken of meetings of the Department for Transport's Air Transport White Paper external advisory group.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Minutes of all air transport White Paper external advisory group meetings are published on the Department for Transport's website at www.dft.gov.uk, and can be found by entering the term "external advisory group" into the website's search facility.

Department for Transport: Aviation Directorate

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the Aviation Directorate within the Department for Transport has spent on external consultants since the creation of the directorate.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Since the department's formation in May 2002, the Aviation Directorate has spent £6.3 million on external (non-research) consultants. Yearly expenditure is as follows.
	
		
			 Year £ million 
			 2002–03 1.3 
			 2003–04 3.8 
			 2004–05 0.9 
			 2005–06 (April–December) 0.3

Driving Age: Four-wheeled Motorised Vehicles

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to restrict or ban the sale and use of four-wheeled motorised vehicles used by people under the driving age.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There are currently no plans to restrict or ban those under driving age from buying four-wheeled motorised vehicles. Existing law requires the users of powered vehicles on the public road to be appropriately licensed. Licensing involves age requirements.

Education: Northern Ireland Post-primary Provision

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many responses to the Department of Education in Northern Ireland's Costello report on the reform of post-primary education were opposed to changes in the academic selection procedure and the proposed changes to grammar schools.

Lord Rooker: The remit of the Post-Primary Review Working Group required it to take account of the responses to the multi-stranded consultation on the Burns recommendations, including the diversity of views on academic selection. The advice from the group (the Costello report) was not published for consultation and responses were not therefore sought on its content.

Education: Northern Ireland Post-primary Provision

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they define parents of schoolchildren as a single-interest group in respect of the Costello report on post-primary education.

Lord Rooker: The Government do not define parents of schoolchildren as a single-interest group. Parents of schoolchildren who have written to the department, or who have responded to consultations on new post-primary arrangements, have expressed a range of views about different issues relating to the new post-primary arrangements. In developing new post-primary arrangements, the Government considered the range of views expressed by parents and other stakeholders.

Education: Northern Ireland Post-primary Provision

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President on 5 July 2004 (WA 59) and the Lord Rooker on 30 June 2005 (WA 45) and 30 November 2005 (WA 45), what are their reasons for not carrying out an infrastructural audit and planning financial expenditure in respect of the reform of post-primary education; and whether there are other areas of government where financial planning is not conducted.

Lord Rooker: Proposals for new arrangements for post-primary education will be developed locally by schools and school managing authorities working together, taking account of local needs and circumstances. Until proposals are developed, it is not possible to determine what changes will be involved in each locality and any associated costs.
	Schools have been encouraged to carry out an audit of their existing provision against the requirements of the entitlement framework and to consider future provision in the context of what is available within the local area.
	An allocation of £24.7 million has been made for the implementation of the new arrangements over the period 2005–06 to 2007–08, including work on developing the pupil profile, piloting arrangements for co-operation and collaboration among schools and between schools and the further education sector, and piloting the concept of specialist schools.
	The pilots and any early proposals emerging will assist the Department of Education to estimate the costs beyond March 2008 and will be the subject of further consideration during the next spending review.

Education: Northern Ireland Post-primary Provision

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much public money has been spent on matters related to the process of consultation on post-primary education in Northern Ireland, including (a) the cost of publications; (b) the cost of their distribution; and (c) labour costs.

Lord Rooker: Consultation has taken place on the recommendations of the Post-Primary Review Body (Burns report) and on options for admissions arrangements to post-primary schools. Consultation on the proposal for a draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 is ongoing. The total expenditure to date on these consultations is £786,000 of which £41,000 is the cost of publications and £29,500 is the cost of their distribution. The total sum also includes £200,000 publication and distribution costs, which could not be disaggregated. It is not possible to quantify the labour costs involved.

Ethiopia and Eritrea

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will support the United States initiative to start marking out the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea on the ground in accordance with the April 2002 decision of the International Boundary Commission; and whether they will support any resolution in the United Nations Security Council approving the operation.

Lord Triesman: The United States initiative aims to address and resolve all the issues of dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea by engaging actively with both parties. We, and all UN Security Council partners, fully support this initiative. In our frequent contact, at both ministerial and official level, with representatives of Ethiopia and Eritrea, we underline that there should be no return to war; that the decision of the boundary commission is final and binding, and must be implemented; and that they should engage in dialogue on all issues that divide them. We have also urged both states to comply completely with the UN resolutions concerning the deployment of the United Nations mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea in order to stabilise the border.
	We, along with UN Security Council partners, will consider next steps in the light of the progress of the United States initiative.

EU: Asylum

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have responded to the concerns of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees about the European Union Directive on Asylum Procedures, adopted on 1 December 2005; and, if so, in what terms.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Her Majesty's Government have not formally responded to the concerns of the UNHCR, as they were addressed to the Council rather than individual member states. However, both Ministers and officials held regular meetings with UNHCR during negotiations, where they were able to raise their concerns on the directive. We also intend to consult on domestic implementation of the directive, allowing UNHCR and others to raise particular issues at that stage.

EU: Asylum

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will propose that European Union member states should not agree to the lowest common standards under the Directive on Asylum Procedures.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Directive on Asylum Procedures was adopted on 1 December 2005. It establishes common minimum standards on procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status, which are consistent with international obligations and in some respects go beyond them. Although it will be for other member states to decide how best to implement the directive, we would expect this implementation to increase standards across the EU as a whole. We intend to consult on domestic implementation of the directive in due course.

EU: Budget

Lord Stevens of Ludgate: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the United Kingdom's total gross contribution to the European Union Budget will be over the period 2007–13; and how much greater or less this will be than the estimated French contribution over that period.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The UK's gross contribution post abatement to the EC budget for the period 2007–13 is estimated at between €102.6 billion and €104.0 billion in 2004 prices. The French contribution over the same period is estimated at between €134.9 billion and €135.2 billion.

EU: Funding Programmes

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether money raised from United Kingdom taxpayers and channelled through European Union (EU) programmes to subsidise infrastructure and agriculture in other EU countries results in a net reduction in the balance on the United Kingdom current account or a net increase in British gross domestic product per capita.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Transactions between the UK and EU institutions are classified under current transfers in the UK's current account and as capital transfers in the capital and financial account. In 2004, the balance on UK official transactions with institutions of the EU (current transfers and capital transfers) was in deficit by £2.8 billion (0.2 per cent of GDP).
	These transfers may also affect UK GDP; for example, transfers from EU institutions to the UK can help to support growth in certain regions and/or industries. In addition, transfers from the UK can support growth in other EU countries and, in turn, may increase demand in these countries for UK exports. Over half of UK exports are to EU countries.

EU: Identity Cards

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 12 December 2005 (Official Report, cols. 1103–05), whether they regard decisions taken under Article 251 of the treaty establishing the European Community as binding upon the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Article 251 of the treaty establishing the European Community provides for measures to be adopted subject to obtaining a qualified majority in the Council of Ministers and agreement of the European Parliament. Measures adopted according to this procedure are binding upon the United Kingdom where it participates in the measure to be adopted.
	During the debate on the Identity Cards Bill, a question arose over whether a measure requiring EU identity cards could be adopted under Title IV of the treaty establishing the European Community. Title IV, "Visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to free movement of persons", is primarily concerned with the entry of third-country nationals into the Community and their rights of residence and movement once there. It does not refer to measures establishing identity cards for EU citizens. In addition, the UK is bound by Title IV measures only if it chooses to opt in to them, so even if a measure providing for EU ID cards could be adopted under Title IV, the UK would have a choice whether to participate in the measure and thus whether to be bound by it.

EU: Metric Road Signs

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether mileage indications on United Kingdom road signs are to be compulsorily replaced by kilometre indications; if so, when; and under which European Union legal statute.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government have no such proposals. UK legislation requires that imperial units be used for indicating speeds and distances on traffic signs. EC legislation on units of measurement (Council Directive 80/181/EEC, as amended by Directive 89/617/EEC) allows the continuing use of miles and yards on UK road signs.

EU: Revenue and Expenditure

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the decision taken by the European Council to commission a review of European Union revenue and expenditure, to be carried out by the Commission and reported on in 2008–09, as specified in paragraphs 79 and 80 of document 15915/05 financial perspective 2007–13, was taken by qualified majority voting.

Lord Triesman: The decision was not taken by qualified majority voting. The European Council operates on the basis of consensus. All aspects of the agreement on the financial perspectives for 2007–13, including the establishment of a review of revenue and expenditure, were agreed in accordance with this practice. The review will be an important step in ensuring a modern EU budget fit for the 21st century.

EU: Trade

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In 2004, what was the combined value of imports from the European Union 25 countries of goods, services, receipts of income and transfers into the European Union 10 accession countries; and what share of that combined value was obtained, respectively, by the United Kingdom and Germany.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: No data exist regarding the geographical breakdown of the combined value of imports of goods, services, receipts of income and transfers for the 10 European Union accession countries. Data only exist for the combined value of the accession countries' imports of goods, services, income and current transfers from the rest of the world. According to Eurostat, this totalled €312.5 billion in 2004.

Identity Cards

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have assessed the costs which local authorities will incur in changing or updating their information technology equipment so that it is compatible with the proposed system of identity cards and the proposed national identity register; and, if so, what is their assessment.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Final cost estimates for changes or updates to information technology to enable local authorities using the ID cards scheme to support the services that they oversee have not been determined. The published benefits overview for the ID cards scheme does not include any assessment of benefits to local authorities.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minster is represented on the Ministerial Committee on Identity Cards, which oversees the work on benefits planning and realisation, and the identity cards programme has engaged with a number of local authorities to continue this work.
	However, the rollout of the identity cards scheme will take place over a long period, thus many of the systems integration costs can be absorbed within the normal cycle of equipment replacement and system upgrades.

Identity Cards: National Identity Register

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the comments by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 16 November 2005 (Official Report, col. 1105), whether they will publish details of the advanced cryptographic and intrusion prevention scheme designed to protect and support the national identity register, proposed in the Identity Cards Bill.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It would not be appropriate to make such details of security baseline reference designs, requirements or other components of these security arrangements available in the public domain, as to do so may compromise the future security and integrity of the register itself.
	Security requirements will be made available on a confidential basis to appropriately vetted staff from bidders who successfully pass the initial qualification process. This will enable them to develop a detailed design for the final technical architecture of the scheme on a competitive basis as part of the procurement process.
	However, it would be a breach of established procurement regulations and best practice to provide this information to any supplier or the general public in advance of a notice being published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It would not be appropriate to publish such a notice until the Identity Cards Bill received Royal Assent.

IRA

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any evidence that the Irish Republican Army is still involved in criminal activity.

Lord Rooker: There have been significant changes in PIRA activity, including in the area of criminality, since the July statement. However, there are complex assessments to be made to distinguish between criminality by individual PIRA members for their own gain and criminality carried out by PIRA members which is authorised by the organisation.
	It is the job of the Independent Monitoring Commission to comment on these issues and to consider whether the PIRA has met the commitments it has made to end all activity, including involvement in organised crime. I look forward to receiving the commission's next, imminent report, and successive reports, to assess progress in this area.
	The Government remain fully committed to tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland, from whatever source.

National Probation Service: Restructuring

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the responses received to the consultation document on restructuring the probation service.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: A summary of the responses received, along with the Government's response to the key issues raised, will be published within three months of the closing date for the consultation (20 December 2005).

NATO

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have agreed with other members of NATO the criteria by which the success or otherwise of its current out of area operations will be judged.

Lord Triesman: When NATO members agree to launch any operation, it is standard practice to agree a concept and operational plan for each specific mission, including key military tasks and overall goals, and to review these at regular intervals.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have consulted political parties in Northern Ireland about the proposal that a national stadium should be placed at the former Maze Prison complex; and, if so, whether any of those parties have agreed to the proposal.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have consulted political parties in Northern Ireland about the proposal that a multi-sports stadium should be placed at the former Maze Prison complex. The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) established the Maze Consultation Panel in January 2003, with political appointees from the four main parties. The panel reported to government in February 2005 with a unanimous vision of all four political parties, which included the development of a multi-sports stadium on the Maze/Long Kesh site.

Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Rooker on 11 January (WA 64 and WA 76), whether they have made any change to the level of information which they will disclose in Answers to parliamentary Questions relating to the procedures and processes of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland; and, if so, why.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have made no change in the level of information provided in regard to the broad procedures and processes of the Office of the Police Ombudsman. The Government acknowledge the independent role of the Police Ombudsman and respect the confidentiality and wishes of individuals who are the subject of individual investigation cases conducted by her. Decisions about the disclosure of information with regard to individual cases are a matter for the Police Ombudsman.

Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What other statutory bodies in Northern Ireland are independent of scrutiny to the same extent as the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is.

Lord Rooker: Like all publicly funded bodies in Northern Ireland, the Office of the Police Ombudsman is subject to rigorous public accountability scrutiny, inspection and review. These include common mechanisms such as reporting to Parliament through the publication of annual reports and accounts audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. In addition, the Police Ombudsman is subject to specific scrutiny by bodies charged with overseeing policing and criminal justice functions. These include the Criminal Justice Inspectorate for Northern Ireland, the Justice Commissioner, the Oversight Commissioner and the Surveillance Commissioner. Scrutiny arrangements for other statutory bodies in Northern Ireland reflect their diverse roles, duties and responsibilities; therefore a direct comparison is not possible.

Northern Ireland: Bail Terms

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past five years, how many people in Northern Ireland have failed to keep the terms of their bail; and how much was forfeited in each case.

Lord Rooker: I am advised by the Chief Constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland that the information requested would require a manual trawl of records across all district command units and as such could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Northern Ireland: Chinese Mandarin Education

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent Chinese Mandarin is taught as a subject in schools in Northern Ireland; and whether it is offered as an examination subject at GCSE and A-level.

Lord Rooker: The Department of Education does not collect information on the number of schools that teach specific subjects, such as Mandarin Chinese. The examining body Edexcel offers GCSE and A-level Chinese qualifications which are accessible to both Mandarin and Cantonese speakers. In the 2003–04 academic year (the latest year for which figures are available), there were 19 Northern Ireland entries for Chinese at GCSE and 12 entries at A-level.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the application for 2005 funding for the New Lodge Irish Festival, where £23,500 was budgeted for artist participants' costs, a detailed breakdown was sought; and, if so, what was that breakdown.

Lord Rooker: A detailed breakdown for £23,500 artist participants' costs was sought as a condition of the contract for funding. The breakdown is as follows:
	Bandstand Promotions: £8,400
	Damien Friel Entertainments: £14,600
	Artifique Movement: £500

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether in the application for 2005 funding for the New Lodge Irish Festival the person who signed on behalf of the organisers was the chairman of the festival; and, if not, who was the chairman; and why did the chairman not sign the agreement.

Lord Rooker: The festival co-ordinator signed the case for funding on behalf of the organisers of the New Lodge Festival.
	The chairman of the festival was Mr John O'Hagan, who signed the agreement.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the application for funding for the 2005 Irish Festival at Ardoyne in Belfast, why the signature for the organisation was not that of a director; and why was the signee's title not included as required by Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure regulations.

Lord Rooker: Under the transitional arrangements for 2005 festivals, there was no requirement for the signature of the organisation to be that of the director.
	The application was submitted with a covering letter signed by "Events Director, Ardoyne Fleadh Cheoil".

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 18 January (WA 116) concerning an inter-departmental working group entitled the Festival Strategy Group, who set up the group; with what remit; who specified the issues to be addressed by the group; and what were those issues.

Lord Rooker: The Festival Strategy Group was set up in 2003 by the Northern Ireland Permanent Secretaries' Group, at the request of Ministers. The remit of the group was to devise a co-ordinated and strategic approach to the funding of community and other festivals from government sources for Northern Ireland that maximises the positive impact they can have in meeting the objectives of government.
	The Festival Strategy Group specified the issues at the time as being:
	a definition of festivals which encompasses the wide range of activity and objectives involved;
	a co-ordinated festival strategy incorporating a shared vision across government and an agreed action plan;
	clarity of roles and responsibilities of the respective government departments and the identification of a proposed implementation structure;
	streamlining of the grant application process to ensure unification of existing arrangements;
	how government can best convey what funding is available, and the mechanisms for applying;
	the issue of sustainability of festivals;
	value for money in both monetary and non-monetary terms; and
	the impact of festivals on the social and economic development of the region and the objectives of government.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to set up new arrangements in Northern Ireland to administer a fund designed to support local cultural and community festivals.

Lord Rooker: Plans to establish a community festivals fund, to be administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company, are at an advanced stage. An announcement on the details of the fund will be made shortly.

Northern Ireland: On-the-Runs

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 20 December 2005 (WA 268), which specific individuals and organisations were involved in the peace negotiations at Weston Park about the return of on-the-run terrorists to Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: Discussions at Weston Park were held on a wide variety of topics and with the broad range of party delegates at different times. Our records of the Weston Park negotiations do not identify each specific individual and organisation involved in discussing this particular subject.

Northern Ireland: Prisoners' Groups

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 11 January (WA 69) concerning funding for prisoners groups, what was the grant of £41,712 paid to North Belfast Prisoners Aid for; and whether they will place the business case in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The grant of £41,712 was provided to North Belfast Prisoners Aid primarily to meet costs associated with construction and refurbishment. In addition, the funding enabled the purchase of computers and sewing machines.
	We interpret "business case" to mean economic appraisal. Applications for EU grant aid totalling over £250,000 are subject to a full Green Book economic appraisal. As the project in question was provided with funding below this threshold, an economic appraisal, i.e. business case, was not required.

Northern Ireland: Victims' Groups

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 11 January (WA 71) concerning funding for victims' groups, what were the capital projects for WAVE Trauma Centre which were funded to a total of £146,744; and whether they will place copies of the business cases in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The following table provides details of the three grants totalling £146,744 awarded to WAVE Trauma Centre capital projects.
	
		
			 Amount of Funding (£) Project Details 
			 84,781 Refurbishment of premises, equipment for IT-based learning programmes, office equipment (Derry, Ballymoney, Armagh and Omagh centres). 
			 45,963 Refurbishment of premises, purchase of a lift to improve disabled access, database design for project monitoring, office equipment (Belfast centre). 
			 16,000 Display units and travelling and permanent storage containers for "Every Picture Tells A Story" exhibition. 
		
	
	We interpret "business case" to mean economic appraisal.
	Applications for EU grant aid totalling over £250,000 are subject to a full Green Book economic appraisal.
	As the projects in question were provided with funding below this threshold, economic appraisals, i.e. business cases, were not required.

Parliament: Interception of Communications

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the rules ("the Wilson rules") that the telephones of Members of Parliament should not be intercepted have also applied to the interception of e-mails; and whether they are applied to members of the House of Lords.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the reply given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Lord Bassam, to Lord Roper on 27 September 2000 (Official Report, col. WA 138).

Passports

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many applications for a first United Kingdom passport were received in 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2005.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The number of applications for a first United Kingdom passport received in 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2005 by the United Kingdom Passport Service are as follows:
	
		
			 Year First Time Adult First Time Child All First Time Applications 
			 1980 930,839 143,061 1,073,900 
			 1990 1,278,876 196,552 1,475,428 
			 2000 1,169,335 1,376,066 2,545,401 
			 2005 628,815 1,108,984 1,737,799

People Trafficking

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, when persons are repatriated from the United Kingdom and there is evidence they have been trafficked, they will ensure that (a) the government of the home country are informed; and (b) the individuals concerned are given details of available support and reintegration services and advised of the implications of renewed trafficking.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The United Kingdom Government do not inform the government of an individual's home country whether there is evidence that the person being repatriated has previously been trafficked. Victims of trafficking have the right to inform their home authorities at any time. However, the UK authorities, in line with our obligations under the Data Protection Act, acknowledge a victim's right to confidentiality, and general legislation does not inform the government of the returning applicant's home country of the reasons for their removal from the United Kingdom unless the applicant has given us their explicit consent to do so.
	Moreover, there is an additional factor in cases where an individual who may be a victim of trafficking also claims asylum. In such cases where the claim is refused and all appeal rights are exhausted, and where we seek to return the individual to their country of origin, the United Kingdom is under an international obligation not to inform the authorities/government of the receiving state that the person is a failed asylum seeker. This must be borne in mind when returning the individual.
	Where we remove individuals, steps are taken to ensure that people are safely returned. Some of these steps include the partnership between the UK Government and a number of charities to offer reintegration assistance to those returning to their countries of origin. This is provided through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), or through links with other organisations or NGOs in the return country. The type of assistance organised by IOM can include help in arranging initial housing, facilitating access to employment, help in setting up a small business, training opportunities and health services. Through this work our aim is to minimise the risks that the returnee may experience on their return.

Police Questioning: Non-Criminal Public Remarks

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 16 January (WA 95), whether individuals are obliged to answer questions from the police about opinions they have publicly expressed which another person found objectionable, but which do not constitute a criminal offence.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: A person is not required to answer questions put to them by the police. However, all citizens have a civic duty to help police officers to prevent crime and to discover offenders. A person may be asked questions by an officer to determine whether an offence has been committed and whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that person's involvement in such an offence. If an offence has been committed and the person is suspected of involvement and subject to arrest, they will be cautioned on arrest that they do not have to say anything but that it may harm their defence if they do not mention something when questioned which they later rely on in court.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the levels of fitness required for recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland have changed since 1 January 2000; if so, how; for what reason; and when.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that following an independent review of the fitness standard for the PSNI, the level required was increased marginally in October 2003.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action the Police Service of Northern Ireland proposes to take following the receipt from the Armagh-based group FAIR over the past three years of files of information concerning criminality.

Lord Rooker: The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) considers all information it receives relating to illegal activity and acts accordingly. The investigation of criminal activity is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.
	PSNI continues to have a significant impact on those engaged in criminality including the seizure of drugs valued at £5.8 million between April and November 2005 and the recovery of counterfeit and pirated products valued at almost £1 million following an operation in Jonesborough in December 2005.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Detention of Children

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many instances there have been since 2001 where the child of a suspected terrorist has been detained and questioned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to an investigation involving a senior relative of the child.

Lord Rooker: The Police Service of Northern Ireland has advised me that to obtain an accurate breakdown of what would be a complex, multi-faceted and lengthy investigation would require careful and involved analysis by the PSNI. Such an answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Police: Ethnic Group Associations

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which ethnic groups are not permitted to create associations within the Metropolitan Police to celebrate their culture.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No ethnic groups are excluded from applying to set up a staff association within the Metropolitan Police Service. Any association seeking Metropolitan Police recognition and support is required to demonstrate that it supports the MPS policing objectives and assists in enabling improved understanding of diversity through its work.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Naseby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider allowing more time for consultation on the proposed amalgamation of police forces in England, in view of the major reform of the police service involved.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No. I acknowledge that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has set a challenging timescale, to minimise the period of uncertainty and to respond promptly to the stark findings in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's report Closing the Gap.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Naseby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the proposed timetable for the implementation of the new amalgamated police forces.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The timetable for implementation will be clearer once the analysis of the options submitted to us is completed. The Home Secretary has said that he expects the new force structures to be in place by April 2008.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What would be the annual cost savings of (a) a Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex combined police force; (b) a Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex combined police force; and (c) one eastern police force, in comparison to existing budgets; and from where they expect such savings would accrue.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are in the process of assessing various options submitted to us by forces and authorities in December 2005. This will include likely set-up costs. It would be inappropriate to comment on this issue until the assessment has been completed. There are likely to be initial set-up and transitional costs, although these will be outweighed by the longer-term benefits to policing and the community.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Naseby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have calculated the setting up costs of the proposed new police authorities; and
	Whether they have undertaken any analysis of the information technology costs of amalgamating existing police authorities, which use different systems; and
	What financial resources they will provide to implement the proposed restructuring of police forces; and what percentage of the total final costs this will represent.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are currently working to determine the viability of the options. This includes detailed analysis of the financial implications for both set-up costs and future benefits. It would be premature to comment further until this analysis has been completed.

Political Correctness: Civitas Report

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the report of Civitas concerning political correctness.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government do not propose to respond formally to the Civitas report The Retreat of Reason. The Government do believe, though, that values such as tolerance, freedom of speech and respect for diversity are as important as ever for society today.

Prime Minister: Letters from Lord Stoddart

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Prime Minister intends to reply to letters sent to him in his capacity as President of the European Council and Prime Minister by the Lord Stoddart of Swindon on 24 June and 1 July 2005.

Lord Triesman: My right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander, replied to the noble Lord's letters on 24 January. He replied in his capacity as Minister with overall responsibility for UK policy on the EU and apologised for the delay in doing so, which was due to an unfortunate administrative error.

RAF: Red Dragon Superhangar

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they reconcile their defence industrial strategy with their decision to remove most of the business of the Defence Aircraft Repair Agency from St Athan immediately after investing £104 million in a superhangar to enable that business to be undertaken there.

Lord Drayson: The decision to build the Red Dragon superhangar in south Wales was taken on the basis of the best available information, and was a welcome development for the area. A subsequent fundamental review of defence logistics looked across the whole logistics process. It concluded that there were clear benefits from consolidating fast jet support at RAF bases and rotary wing support at DARA Fleetlands in order to best serve the needs of defence. These new arrangements are fully in line with the principles of the defence industrial strategy, which emphasise the importance of improving the effectiveness of through-life capability management and support for our fast jet fleets. This move will help sustain this critical capability in the most cost-effective manner.
	The Ministry of Defence expects to recover its investment in the Red Dragon project by the proposed drawdown date of April 2007. The MoD expects to achieve this through the major rationalisation of the St Athan site and the DARA manpower, overheads and efficiency savings which follow the move into the Red Dragon superhangar.

Railways: Fares

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With which railway companies or organisations (if any) they have had recent discussions about the possible abolition of saver fares; and whether they intend to make or agree to any proposals which would result in the reduction or loss of such tickets.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The former Strategic Rail Authority's fares review, published in June 2003, concluded that the regulation of saver returns, a leisure fare introduced by British Rail in the 1980s, had caused overcrowding on many long-distance trains and had constrained the introduction of more innovative, customer-focused fares structures. It proposed further work on saver regulation with a view to replacing it in due course with a more appropriate regime. Work continues but no decision on the future of saver regulation has yet been made.

Schools: Admissions

Baroness David: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they have done since 1997 to ensure that there are fair admission arrangements to primary and secondary schools for children of all abilities and circumstances.

Lord Adonis: Since 1997 we have legislated to simplify the admissions process and to make the system fairer. This includes:
	changing the law to prevent admission authorities from introducing selection by high academic ability;
	issuing codes of practice for admissions and admission appeals, giving clear guidance on acceptable practices to admission authorities and schools;
	giving local authorities and schools the right to object to the schools adjudicator about admission arrangements they think are unfair or discriminatory, and giving parents the right to object to some admission arrangements, including some forms of selection;
	introducing co-ordinated admissions, a system that has had a significant impact in improving parents' chances of obtaining a preferred school;
	setting up a mechanism for parents to decide on the removal of selection in grammar schools, and preventing the introduction of new selection by high academic ability; and
	ensuring that looked-after children are given top priority in school admission arrangements and encouraging local authorities to adopt protocols for the admission of hard-to-place, including vulnerable, pupils.

Schools: Admissions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what prescribed criteria those responsible for admission arrangements for maintained schools, and the proposed academies and independent trust schools, should be able to make provision for selection by aptitude as distinct from selection by ability.

Lord Adonis: The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 provides that admission authorities for schools may introduce selection of only up to 10 per cent of their intake on the basis of aptitude for prescribed subjects. These are: physical education or sport; the performing arts; visual arts; modern foreign languages; and design and technology and information technology.
	All maintained schools, including foundation schools with a foundation (trust), must comply with this legislation. Academies are required by the terms of their funding agreement, which is approved by the Secretary of State, to act in accordance with admissions legislation.

Schools: Admissions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether those responsible for admission arrangements for maintained schools, and the proposed academies and independent trust schools, should be able to make provision for selection by ability duly authorised in relation to pupil banding.

Lord Adonis: Pupil banding allows oversubscribed schools to admit pupils from across the full ability range of all their applicants, after applying the other oversubscription criteria.
	At present, the admission authority for a school must publish, consult on and seek approval of a statutory proposal to introduce banding arrangements. The Government intend to remove the requirement for maintained schools, including foundation schools with a foundation (trust), to go through this process. Instead, they will be able to propose to use banding in their oversubscription criteria as part of their statutory annual consultation on proposed admission arrangements.
	We also intend to extend the range of options for banding, so that a school or group of schools could choose to band to ensure an intake that is representative of local or national ability profiles.
	Academies are free to introducing banding or any other fair admission arrangements. Their admission arrangements are subject to approval by the Secretary of State, and must have been set in accordance with admissions legislation and the school admissions code of practice.

Schools: Admissions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether those responsible for admission arrangements for maintained schools, and the proposed academies and independent trust schools, should be able to make provision for a test to be carried out in relation to an applicant for admission which is either a test of ability or one designed to elicit any aptitude other than for the subject or subjects in question.

Lord Adonis: The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 prevented the introduction of any new selection by ability, and placed restrictions on the introduction of selection on the basis of aptitude. Section 102(2) of the Act provides that a test of aptitude may not be introduced as part of a school's admission process if it,
	"is either a test of ability or one designed to elicit any aptitude other than for the subject or subjects in question".
	This applies to foundation schools with a foundation (trust).
	Academies are required by the terms of their funding agreement, which is approved by the Secretary of State, to act in accordance with admissions legislation and to have regard to the school admissions code of practice.

Schools: Human Rights Act 1998

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the academies and the independent trust schools envisaged in the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All (Cm 6677), are intended to be public authorities within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 with a duty to act compatibly with the relevant convention rights.

Lord Adonis: The governing bodies of all maintained schools are public authorities for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998, and the governing bodies of trust schools will be no different in this respect. Although the matter has not been judicially determined, in the department's view academies exercise functions of a public nature by providing education at public expense and are therefore public authorities for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Schools: Northern Ireland Holidays

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to make the school holiday arrangements in Northern Ireland consistent.

Lord Rooker: In Northern Ireland, all grant-aided schools already operate on a standard basis of a three-term school year, from the end of August to the end of June, with approximately a two-week break at Easter and Christmas. Schools must operate within these arrangements, with individual statutory school holiday dates requiring prior approval by the relevant education and library board to ensure consistency across schools in each board area.

Stansted Airport

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many meetings in the past 12 months have taken place between Ministers or officials in the Department for Transport and BAA to discuss the expansion of Stansted airport; and what was the nature and purpose of each meeting.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Ministers and officials have had regular contact with BAA during the past 12 months regarding the expansion of Stansted airport. These discussions have focused mainly on the surface access impacts of a second runway at Stansted.

Stansted Airport

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what grounds they rejected the recent bid for Department for Transport funding for a feasibility study into a possible road charge for access by private motorised vehicles to Stansted airport; and whether they will place relevant documents, including internal e-mails and correspondence, in the Library of the House; and
	Whether they received any correspondence or communication from BAA regarding the recent bid for Department for Transport funding for a feasibility study into a possible road charge for access by private motorised vehicles to Stansted airport; and whether they will place relevant documents, including e-mails, in the Library of the House.

Lord Davies of Oldham: We received 33 bids from local authorities for development funding of schemes combining public transport investment with demand management measures, such as road pricing. Seven areas were awarded funding in November 2005.
	The bid from Essex County Council was unsuccessful principally because other bids showed a stronger commitment to the development of local road pricing, which we were prioritising under the funding scheme, and because other bids demonstrated a stronger level of stakeholder involvement and commitment to their proposals. The department did not receive any communication from BAA in respect of the Essex bid.
	There will be a further round of bidding for development funding in summer 2006 and Essex is welcome to bid again.
	Copies of Essex's application and the decision letter have been placed in the Library.

Stansted Airport

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has undertaken any work into the environmental impact of (a) the growth in the budget airline market; and (b) a possible second runway at Stansted Airport.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Decisions on the air transport White Paper were underpinned by national air passenger forecasts, which included forecast growth in demand for budget airlines. The White Paper also took account of the environmental impact both of forecast growth in air passenger demand and of a possible second runway at Stansted.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the African Union (AU) summit in Khartoum has proposed the involvement of the United Nations in strengthening the AU mission in Darfur; and whether they have any proposals to make in the United Nations Security Council for disarming the militias and improving the protection of civilians.

Lord Triesman: We welcome the AU's decision at the 12 January Peace and Security Council (PSC) expressing support in principle for handing over its monitoring mission in Darfur (AMIS) to the UN. However, the PSC recommended that this decision be approved by AU Ministers before the end of the current AMIS mandate in March 2006. There was no formal decision on this at the AU summit held in Khartoum earlier this week. We are pressing the AU to convene this meeting as soon as possible. We will continue to strongly encourage the UN and AMIS to co-ordinate their work.
	We regularly urge the Government of Sudan to rein in the Arab militia, and we have made clear to all parties in Darfur that they must abide by the ceasefire, control their forces and work towards a political solution.

Transport Policy: Sir Rod Eddington

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what projects the Government's transport adviser, Sir Rod Eddington, is currently working.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Sir Rod Eddington is considering a wide range of evidence on transport's impact on the economy, to understand better the types of transport links that are most important for productivity, stability and growth. He is not working on any specific transport projects.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 11 January (WA 78), when Waterways Ireland is expected to complete the task of registering title of property which it owns; and what records of its own property Waterways Ireland currently holds.

Lord Rooker: In Northern Ireland, Waterways Ireland has a limited property portfolio associated with the Lough Erne and Lower Bann navigations. These properties were transferred to the body in its establishing legislation and the transfer of title process is ongoing.
	The body also inherited an extensive property portfolio in the Republic of Ireland but apart from a relatively small amount of lands acquired for the Shannon-Erne waterway, practically all the other property in Waterways Ireland's care is unregistered.
	The registration process will involve extensive research and significant legal input. Waterways Ireland estimates that this project will take a minimum of five years to complete.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 11 January (WA 78), why they will not indicate what was the job specification for the post of director of marketing and communications at Waterways Ireland.

Lord Rooker: This appointment was a matter for the chief executive of Waterways Ireland. Departments did not have a role in this appointment or in agreeing a job specification for the post. However, the chief executive of Waterways Ireland has provided me with the job description for this post, a copy of which has been laid in the Library.